Alex's Birthday - the Big 5!!

I know I'm late to report this, but Alex turned five. I'm a little short on enthusiasm, mostly because I don't want my baby to get any older.
We celebrated by taking a trip to Coronado Heights. Aunt Trish, Aunt Delaine, George's cousin Doralynn, Jacob, Joseph, Samantha, Alex and of course Hershey all participated. Joseph proved himself to be quite a trailblazer, often leading. He would occasionally find a path that ventured under a large pine tree with branches touching the ground, not realizing that adult are not three feet tall. We followed anyway, and it was a blast.
We ate lunch on top of the "castle". It was a beautiful day, despite it being February 20th. Really breezy, but warm enough to wear shorts and a t shirt.
The next day we took a group of kids to see Bolt in the theater. Nicole, Mac, Corbin, Cammie, Trish, Joseph, Sais, Alora, Delaine, George, Alex, Sam and myself all went. Directly afterwards we went home and had a pizza party. I should have gotten more pictures, but my camera ran out of battery while we were singing "Happy Birthday." Aunt Trish made the awesome guitar cake, of course.

When I later asked Alex what was more fun, she told me that Coronado Heights and the movie were equally fun. I guess we'll be having more picnics this summer.

Here are the birthday girls.

Look at this beautiful cake! Three tiers, made by Aunt Trish.

I think the pictures mostly speak for themselves. The girls both got a t-shirt that says "Birthday Party at the YMCA" that were so big they could probably wear them at their high school graduation. :)

So everyone enjoyed swimming and the Moon Bounce. We then had cake and ice cream and played in the ball pit. I've posted videos and You Tube for your enjoyment.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m8ozwfK1sF0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zqyvq9ETdmc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QyvxQuN48AY

Here are videos of the little family party we had for her on her actual birthday. Yes, that is Lloyd howling. :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FU7NkXcuB4w

Here she is opening her dollhouse. "oh my gosh!"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3fVGa_gne98

While you're looking at youtube videos, you can actually see all the videos I've posted thus far.

Dyslexic child?

Alex was spelling out words on the fridge with magnetic letters. She said "look Mommy, I can spell the name of a girl in my class." I noticed it was backwards so I decided to have her spell other words she knows...which is limited to her own name and sisters name. When she writes her name, she writes it correctly. I'm not sure if this is a four year old thing or if she's dyslexic.

Diamond Castle Music Video

The girls decided to make a "music video" from Barbie and the Diamond Castle. As Alex says it, it's the "newest, newest princess movie!" Alex and Sam dressed up just like the two girls in the movie and danced around and sang the song. Notice the similarities...lol. Alex (with dark hair) is dressed in the same colored dress as the dark haired girl and Sam (blondie) is dressed in the same colored dress as the blonde girl. It's pretty cute, anyway. There are two other videos but I didn't post the links. You can look at the different videos I have on my "channel."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qqNjw2ZH5QM

Here's a music video of the actual Diamond Castle Barbie Movie. No need to watch the entire thing, but the first minute or so is pretty cute and shows exactly what Alex is so intriged with.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aLvRkdFVO6Q

Ladybug

The girls found a ladybug while digging around in the neighbor's rock area. I was sure it was dead, but it surprised me when it started moving, despite the fact that Sam had it in her little hand. They then placed him/her in a sippy cup with rocks, coins, stars and a seashell or two. Surprisingly, the ladybug was still alive the next day.
For some reason I'm having problems embedding the videos, so you'll have to click on the links.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CLbz8HZxU1s

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z32mMQk7a5k

The girls and their new "puppies"

Today Grandma Jane and Grandpa stopped by our house to drop off some goodies they got in Alaska. The girls each recieved an animal in a carrier. Alex's is an Alaskan Husky named Rose Pedal, no, Molly, no Lilly....well....we're not sure what it's named it's been changed so much. Samantha's animal is a polar bear, but sometimes pretends it's a puppy. She named hers Sparkle (much like the little polar bear in the Barbie Pegusus movie).
Those girls have not let their pets out of sight since they got them a couple of days ago. They love carrying them everywhere in their little bags.
Here's a short video of them dancing with their pets. Notice Alex's style versus Sam's style of dancing. Sam seems to be more of a rock star...lol.
Sorry my voice is so loud. I forget that the microphone is right next to me!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aRSxS8iiUoQ

Packing for Grandma's house and Potty Language

Today I gave the girls their bags and told them to pack for Grandma's house, thinking it would keep them busy for a good half hour while George and I made supper. Well, I was wrong. A minute or two later I see Sam walking toward the back door with her bag slung over he shoulder, almost too heavy for her to carry. A minute later, Alex and Sam have lined up the shoes they are going to take: 12 pairs in all.
Later investigation of their bags revealed some insight into what they had planned on taking to Grandma's house. Sam had 11 shirts, 6 pairs of shorts, 7 dresses, a lamb, a princess crown and a sea shell. And her blankie of course. She had packed two bags in all. Alex had 3 pairs of shorts, 4 skirts, 6 shirts, 11 pairs of panties, a princess crown and her pooh bear.

Later on, there was much hype and discussion following a comment (made by George) about Sam's undies. I figured that I may as well have some decent blackmail material in case the girls ever have a high school graduation ceremony...

Warning: this short film involves potty talk... a lot of it. If you are somehow offended by potty talk, shield your ears. Yes folks, Alex is that charming in real life.

Alex asked me at dinner, "Did you know that Curious George was made possible by viewers like you?" I've come to realize that PBS has entered my child's brain...and possibly warped it.